Note from our Executive Director…

Hello Friends & Supporters,

It’s with great pride that we celebrate an incredibly successful Ultimate Tailgate Party, 2014! Your support raised over $135,000! We welcomed over 300 on the waterfront at Sam’s, and gathered in a gorgeous tent with incredible music, fabulous food, one of a kind auction items and the ‘Swoon Booth‘! Dorothy Puhy, The John W. Henry Family Foundation, Bank of America, Peterson Party Center, Winston Flowers, MS Walker, ProForma, and Peak Organic all sponsored our event with generosity, enthusiasm and cheer. Our volunteers were amazing and spirited – we thank you all.

During the sold-out VIP celebration upstairs at Sam’s, we were proud to present the first ever, Thomas M. Menino Award for Service – to legendary restaurateurs, and founding members of our esteemed Culinary Panel – Christopher Myers and Joanne Chang.

“With heavy hearts, we proudly introduce the Thomas M. Menino Award. Our late Mayor was not only a relentless advocate of our work, he was a true friend – and a dependable presence within our organization. As our Guest of Honor last year, he spoke of his affinity for food – and how proud he was of Boston’s incredible restaurant community. He recognized food as a tool for social justice, and believed in access for all. Mayor Menino had supported Lovin’ Spoonfuls since our very first event, our launch party at Myers + Chang. Coincidentally, it was Christopher Myers + Joanne Chang who introduced him to our work. Going forward, we honor both his life and legacy with this award – which will serve to recognize those who hold the same ideals that connect service, community and food. Fittingly, tonight we celebrate the idea that food creates community – and all who cultivate it. We are deeply proud to honor Christopher + Joanne with the first ever Thomas M. Menino Award.”

Josh Smith of Moody’s & New England Charcuterie, along with the fabulous Wasik brothers feted VIP guests with an incredible spread of specialty cheeses and charcuterie. MS Walker outfitted our entire event with bubbles from Simonnet-Febvre, and selections from MSW’s own private label wines, Harbor Town & inspired. Downstairs in the tent, Offsite was shaking incredible Ward 8 cocktails, and serving up a crowd favorite – Negronis on tap. Peak Organic was our featured brewery, not only pouring delicious seasonal brews, but their co-Founder Rob Lucente, also emceed our evening’s program – raising over $30,000 during the live auction!

My deepest thanks to Joe Fallon, Esti + Drew Parsons, TJ Connelly, and to our good friends Marjorie Clapprood and Chris Spinazzola – for their time, support and creative vision for this year’s Tailgate! We had a blast working with everyone, and are proud to have the support of this incredible community. Each truck we put on the road rescues 250,000 lbs of fresh, healthy food each year – and we keep them on the road with your support. This event raised over $135,000 for our work – and we are truly grateful. Follow along on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook as we post photos from the party in the coming days. If you couldn’t attend, or would like to support our work and learn more about what we do and why, visit us here.